Maxxam received the award at an Awards ceremony held at the Royal Bank Plaza in Toronto yesterday.

Maxxam CEO Jon Hantho says the success of the program speaks for itself. “It’s definitely a win-win,” Hantho said. “Maxxam gains the skills of well educated, motivated technical employees who, in return, have the opportunity to start a new career in Canada.” He adds that since the program started in 2001, some 400 co-op placements have participated with more than 200 of them finding permanent positions and careers at Maxxam.

Krishnal Suntharesan, a biochemist from Sri Lanka, enrolled in Maxxam’s co-op program for skilled immigrants in 2005 and today is a senior analyst at the company’s Mississauga laboratory.

“It was a really positive experience for me overall,” Suntharesan said. “It was difficult finding work in my field because everyone asked for Canadian work experience that I simply didn’t have. Maxxam gave me that experience and I haven’t looked back.”

The company’s co-op approach involves a comprehensive nine to 12-week program that provides both hard and soft skills training, enabling the employer and co-op participants to assess fit. Initial screening mirrors the interview process used in hiring full-time employees. Participants are matched with a ‘buddy’ to assist their training and integration into the company’s culture. Perhaps most importantly, co-op participants work hands-on in the laboratory and testing environment. In a field where it can be challenging to find skilled employees, the program has been a boon to Maxxam’s recruitment process and helped the company double its workforce over the past six years.

For further information:
Barbara Budarick
bbudarick@maxxam.ca

About Maxxam
Founded over 40 years ago, Maxxam is the market leader in analytical services and solutions to the energy, environmental, food and DNA industries. Maxxam’s 2,200 dedicated employees proudly lead the industry in depth of technical and scientific expertise and serve customers through the only national network of laboratories. In processing over 2,200,000 samples and generating in excess of 35,000,000 results annually, Maxxam skillfully combines efficiency and customer service with rigorous science and uncompromising quality management. Maxxam is committed to success with responsibility – to its stakeholders, to its communities, and to the environment.

“I believe this is one of the most important annual events for our industry in Ontario and I am honoured to be invited to chair this year’s activities,” said Hantho. “EID connects business leaders and policy makers in a meaningful dialogue around the major challenges and opportunities across our industry. I encourage our customers and industry stakeholders to attend this event and bring their voices to the table to ensure government policies can help businesses deliver even more jobs and economic growth, while maintaining priority on the protection of human health and the environment.”

The Deputy Ministers of Environment and Economic Development and Innovation are scheduled to offer joint luncheon remarks, followed by a series of roundtable discussions with senior policy representatives (these sessions are open only to ONEIA members):

1. The Next Innovation Challenge – moving beyond winners and losers
2. At a Crossroads on Waste
3. Ontario’s Energy Future
4. Brownfields: Unlocking the Value Equation
5. Modernization of Approvals – the next stage
6. Water/Wastewater/Stormwater

Of note, ONEIA’s Brownfield subcommittee has been tackling some of the major issues that face Maxxam’s customers who are working to remediate and revitalize contaminated sites in Ontario. At this year’s Brownfield roundtable, participants will discuss key issues such as:

· The management of “inert” fill
· Dealing with sites that have SAR exceedences from road salt
· The impacts of Regulation 153/04 July 2011 amendments
· Table 1 Ontario Typical Range levels that aren’t so typical

Early-bird Registration is $175 for ONEIA members (through April 20th); a trial membership is available by contacting: info@oneia.ca. There is also a cocktail reception from 5-7:30pm hosted by the Minister of Environment. For more information, please visit: www.oneia.ca

Maxxam’s wastewater task force is currently working with clients across the country to prepare for the adoption of National Performance Standards that are intended to monitor common wastewater pollutants and to indicate if a second level of treatment for effluent will be required. While the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) will not implement the new regulations until sometime in 2013, Maxxam is already providing assistance and advice to municipalities that are taking a proactive approach to prepare for these changes.

Curtis Eickhoff, Director of Ecotoxicology, states: “We are taking a cost-effective, yet rigorous scientific approach to meeting these regulatory requirements. With three specialized Ecotoxicology Laboratories in Burnaby, Edmonton and Quebec City, and the only national network of analytical laboratories and service centres in Canada, we can assist municipalities across Canada with all the testing required to comply with the new regulation”.

Additional information about our services can be found at: http://maxxam.ca/ccmeww or contact: ccmeww@maxxam.ca

Maxxam’s goal is to be the clear choice for analytical services and solutions and the Corporate Responsibility, a first in the industry, focuses on the areas that are critical to successfully serving our customers’ business needs and contributing to their success.

You can view the full report here, or please contact your customer service representative for a printed copy.

Dr. Terry Obal, Maxxam’s Director of Scientific Services & Development, is presenting a research update on Thursday, April 12th at WaterTech 2012. His presentation is entitled: “Using Polyethylene Passive Samplers for the Determination of Dissolved Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Groundwater”

This research project is evaluating polyethylene passive samplers as a means to better estimate and provide a more representative concentration for dissolved PAHs in groundwater on contaminated sites. The potential advantages of these new devices are:

- the elimination of sediment interferences and the resultant high bias in the data;
- reduced sampling costs through a ‘no-purge’ approach;
- improved analytical sensitivity.

Dr. Obal leads a team of senior scientific specialists with diverse market sector expertise who are responsible for ensuring the technical validity, scientific integrity and regulatory compliance of operational activities at Maxxam. Terry is also a member of the SCC working group for Test Method Development, Evaluation and Non-Routine Testing.

As the market leader in analytical services & solutions, Maxxam is pleased to be a Bronze Sponsor of WaterTech2012 hosted by the Environmental Services Association of Alberta (ESAA) in Banff.

“Success with Responsibility” continues to play a significant role at Maxxam Analytics. Employees are empowered to drive fundraising initiatives and give the gift of time to benefit people and charities within the communities we serve.

Maxxam celebrated its 10th annual food drive with over 2,000 employees organizing successful bake sales, international food fairs, games, tournaments, a Grey Cup football challenge, various raffles, the famous pie toss and even the delivery of 2,774 lbs of potatoes and onions. Employees raised over $30,000 which was matched dollar for dollar by Maxxam. More than $60,000 in cash and food donations will now benefit Canadian Food Banks to help feed over 900,000 children, families and people who need support each month.

In 2011, over 1,000 employee hours contributed to our newly-introduced Day of Caring Program where employees are given one (paid) workday to volunteer with a registered charity of their choice. This program resulted in an abundance of enthusiasm and goodwill from staff who served up soup for the less fortunate, planted and mulched trees for green living, turned imperfect food crops into nourishing soup base, included projects with Habitat for Humanity, the Arthritis Society, Make a Wish Foundation and local animal shelters, provided lessons to youth on healthy eating, plus opportunities to train as literacy tutors and crisis line volunteers.

“What an amazing opportunity to connect with community and spread holiday cheer”, says Jon Hantho, President and CEO. “I am proud of each and every colleague who gave their time and opened their wallets to help those in need. Thank you to everyone who took part and helped build our corporate culture of integrity, collaboration, innovation and performance.”

Partners in science, customers, suppliers and stakeholders are also invited to give back. Once again, Maxxam has opted for an online holiday card to be more sustainable and include an interactive component allowing recipients to vote for a charity of their choice (three to choose from). Maxxam will then contribute $1.00 for each vote received.

Founded over 40 years ago, Maxxam is the market leader in analytical services and solutions to the energy, environmental, food and DNA industries. Maxxam’s 2,000 dedicated employees proudly lead the industry in depth of technical and scientific expertise and serve customers through the only national network of laboratories. In processing over 2,000,000 samples and generating in excess of 35,000,000 results annually, Maxxam skillfully combines efficiency and customer service with rigorous science and uncompromising quality management. Maxxam is committed to success with responsibility – to its stakeholders, to its communities, and to the environment.

Download a PDF version of news release.

The 2011 CPANS technical conference takes place at the University of Alberta, Lister Conference Centre. Please contact Rick Vermeersch, Business Development Manager, Oil Sands & Outsourcing, for more information regarding Maxxam’s participation.

Bryan Chubb, VP Business Development – Environmental Services is pleased to host the Maxxam Science Summit – Ontario 2011 at BraeBen Golf Club on Thursday, November 24, 2011.

This is an occasion to network with representatives from government, industry, and the environmental consulting profession. Speakers include:

• Marc McAree, Partner, Willms & Shier Environmental Lawyers
• Greg Zimmer, Senior Program Advisor, Modernization of Approvals, Ontario Ministry of the Environment
• Terry Obal, Ph.D., Director, Scientific Services & Development, Maxxam
• Eric Reiner, Ph.D., Senior Mass Spectrometry Research Scientist, Ontario Ministry of the Environment
• Tyler Barkhouse, Director of Environment and Geosciences, Focus Corporation

The program details and registration information can be found at:

http://fallconference2011.eventbrite.com   Seating is limited. Please register today!

Please contact Fred Chen or Dave Langill to set up a meeting or for more information.

The Canadian Urban Institute recently recognized the Bloom Centre for Sustainability with the 2011 CUI Brownie Award for Excellence in Communications, Marketing, and Public Engagement for their spring 2011 brownfield series which was held in: Hamilton, Waterloo, Kingston, North Bay, Montreal and Edmonton. The series was sponsored by Maxxam, along with FCM, Golder Associates, the Ontario government, Hazco and XCG.

More than 600 people attended the original six workshops, with representation from more than 50 local governments and community groups. Each event focused on understanding local challenges and opportunities of Brownfield redevelopment, and actions required to move forward. They also provided excellent opportunities to network, share perspectives, and exchange knowledge and innovative ideas amongst the wide variety of impacted stakeholders.

The Canadian Urban Institute’s annual Brownie Awards program recognizes leadership, innovation and environmental sustainability in brownfields redevelopment across Canada. The Canadian Urban Institute presented the awards at its annual Brownfields Conference on October 4, 2011. The Canadian Urban Institute is committed to promoting awareness and an improved understanding of opportunities to regenerate urban sites and neighbourhoods.

For more information or to attend the BLOOM workshop on Redevelopment in Calgary, please click: http://bloomcentre.cvent.com/events/bloom-market-insight-session-practical-workshop-for-redevelopment-in-calgary-alberta/event-summary-0d355f0a2f55456988f2eb48a79df197.aspx

Maxxam is hosting their 2011 Science Summit at a redeveloped brownfield site in Mississauga: BraeBen Golf Club – on Thursday, November 24th. Click here for speaker/agenda details and to register: http://maxxam.ca/?p=6302